Pubdate: Wed, 02 Sep 2009
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Times Colonist
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/letters.html
Website: http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Nancy Sine

LEGALIZE MARIJUANA, THEN APPLY THE TAX

I agree that the government needs to increase revenues and that 
everyone should pay their fair share. However the HST will be the 
same on the cable, phone, smoke detectors, bottle of aspirin, etc. 
for low-income families in basement suites as it will be for the 
wealthy in million-dollar mansions. That's hardly a fair share.

Even if the HST is revenue-neutral to the government bank accounts, 
it will still be more money proportionately out of the pockets of 
those who can least afford it.

Given that the government does need more income, it was interesting 
to see that after months of surveillance, the RCMP busted an outdoor 
grow-op near Port Alberni, and will be shipping the $140,000 worth of 
pot to a local incinerator.

It's like burning $100 bills. Imagine the instant revenues if the 
government were to legalize marijuana, control its distribution and 
tax the heck out of it -- including the HST -- like they do with 
liquor and tobacco sales.

Imagine dedicating all that revenue to shortening waitlists, seniors' 
care, housing for the homeless, and treatment for the addicted and 
mentally ill.

But wait, I think they tried that -- dedicating the revenues from 
lotteries and gaming. And we all know how that worked out for 
community organizations.

To make the HST more equitable, the government should increase the 
point-of-sale exemptions to include all of the basic necessities. To 
reduce policing and justice system spending, as well as increase 
revenues, they should do the financially logical thing and legalize marijuana.

Nancy Sine

Victoria
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom